Tag: Sean Strickland

Sean Strickland compares Belal Muhammad to a terrorist

Sean Strickland compares Belal Muhammad to a terroristSean Strickland may have taken things a little too far in his rivalry with UFC 304 headliner Belal Muhammad….

Sean Strickland compares Belal Muhammad to a terrorist

Sean Strickland may have taken things a little too far in his rivalry with UFC 304 headliner Belal Muhammad.

Crossing the line is pretty much Strickland’s official brand at this point, but fight fans weren’t exactly thrilled with his latest dig at Muhammad on social media.

Sean Strickland

“Belal looks like why I have to take my shoes off in airports…..” Strickland commented on Instagram.

While ‘Remember The Name’ hasn’t responded to the ill-advised comment, Strickland drew the ire of users on both Instagram and X, many of them condemning the “disgusting” statement.

“Sean Strickland implying Belal Muhammad is a terrorist simply because he’s Muslim. Disgusting & despicable behavior but I wouldn’t expect any less & you know a large swath of the MMA community will cheerlead this behavior,” one user wrote.

Sean Strickland

Another noted how Strickland had nothing to say about another Muslim fighter—Islam Makhachev—while sitting next to him during the UFC 302 press conference in June.

“It’s funny how Sean didn’t [say] anything like that when he was sitting next to Islam at the press conference. He went backstage and said it in one-on-one interviews.”

Sean Strickland

Sean Strickland and Belal Muhammad trade barbs following UFC P.I. encounter in 2023

Strickland and Muhammad have taken jabs back and forth over the years, but things seemed to escalate last year when ‘Tarzan’ shared a video online that featured Muhammad training in the background. Strickland labeled the top-ranked welterweight ‘thunder thumbs’ in the clip, which you can see below:

Unenthused by Strickland’s antics, Belal Muhammad issued a response shortly after, telling the former middleweight champ that he’s simply “not that guy.”

“This guy’s trying to act tough again on social media. Looking for clout chasing, trying to get views for a podcast,” Muhammad said. “I offered to fight you. You turned it down. You putting out this video of you recording from a distance, muttering under your breath, thunder thumbs, which is not even clever. Your racist hillbilly fans are saying ‘Oh man you’re a beast’, ‘you’re a man’, look how crazy he is.

“But look at the distance. It’s like someone recording a lion in the wild. You stay at a safe distance. You don’t get into the danger zone. You didn’t get into the danger zone. Just stop this. You’re not that guy. You’re more of like an emo Peewee Herman.”

Strickland snapped back, welcoming a fight with Muhammad anytime, anywhere.

“Man, you guys believe this f*cking clown? Lmao ok p*ssy tomorrow 11am,” he wrote. “Gloves, no gloves idc….”

Sean Strickland

As far as we know, that encounter never happened, but if Belal Muhammad manages to defeat Leon Edwards for the welterweight title in Manchester, perhaps we’ll see Strickland move up and try to settle things with ‘Bully B’ inside the Octagon.

Sean Strickland wants the title then Khamzat Chimaev ‘He Can Get The Smoke’

Sean Strickland claims UFC will deny him title fight they don't want me holding the microphoneSean Strickland has laid out his ideal plan for when he wants to fight Khamzat Chimaev. Strickland is the…

Sean Strickland claims UFC will deny him title fight they don't want me holding the microphone

Sean Strickland has laid out his ideal plan for when he wants to fight Khamzat Chimaev.

Strickland is the current No. 1 contender at middleweight and returned to the win column in June with a decision win over Paulo Costa. After the win, he made it clear he was going to hold out for a title shot, which he says is still the plan.

But, after Sean Strickland gets the title shot, and wins the belt, he wants his first title defense to be against Khamzat Chimaev as he’s confident he can hand him his first career loss.

“I made [Khamzat] retire after COVID. I’m fighting for the belt then he can get the smoke,” Strickland wrote on Instagram.

If Strickland does reclaim the middleweight title and becomes the champion, having his first title defense against Chimaev would be massive. But, before that can happen, Strickland needs to get the next title shot, which isn’t set in stone, and then also win the title, which is both easier said than done.

Sean Strickland explains why UFC may not give him the next title shot

Although Sean Strickland says he will be holding out for the middleweight title shot, Strickland says he knows he may not get it.

According to Strickland, he says if the UFC gives Robert Whittaker and not him the next title shot, it is because they don’t want him as the champion due to what he says on the mic and not having a filter.

“If they give Robert (Whittaker) the title shot, it’s for one reason, it’s for one reason. They don’t want me holding this (microphone) on the main stage,” Strickland said to Shak MMA. “I’m next in line, dude, there’s no argument in it, it is a f****** fact if they give Whittaker the title shot then welcome to f****** Bud Light.”

Strickland is known for saying whatever he wants and many have been offended by his comments, which is why he thinks he may not get the title shot.

Strickland is 29-6 as a pro and coming off the win over Costa after losing a split decision to Dricus Du Plessis in January to lose his middleweight title.

Daniel Cormier Questions Why People ‘Discredit’ Sean Strickland As Number One Contender: ‘He Beat Costa Better Than Whittaker Did!’ 

Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier has backed Sean Strickland’s claim to a title shot, as noise regarding Robert Whittaker getting the next opportunity instead continues to increase. Even prior to his victory last month, Strickland felt hard done by having been overlooked by the promotion for Dricus Du Plessis’ first title defense this summer. […]

Continue Reading Daniel Cormier Questions Why People ‘Discredit’ Sean Strickland As Number One Contender: ‘He Beat Costa Better Than Whittaker Did!’  at MMA News.

Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier has backed Sean Strickland’s claim to a title shot, as noise regarding Robert Whittaker getting the next opportunity instead continues to increase.

Even prior to his victory last month, Strickland felt hard done by having been overlooked by the promotion for Dricus Du Plessis’ first title defense this summer. “Tarzan,” of course, lost the middleweight belt to the South African by narrow margins at UFC 297 in Canada this past January.

He then begrudgingly accepted a bout with Paulo Costa, outpointing the former title challenger in a lackluster five-round co-main event at the UFC 302 pay-per-view in Newark. In the immediate aftermath, Strickland laid down his stance by insisting that he’ll only make the walk for a title fight next time out.

But following Whittaker’s emphatic first-round knockout of Ikram Aliskerov in Saudi Arabia, which came months on from his own win over “Borrachinha,” it would appear that Strickland has competition…

Cormier Asks: Why Are People ‘So Quick To Discredit’ Strickland?!

During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Cormier gave his take on the major topics currently appearing in mixed martial arts headlines, including Khamzat Chimaev’s push for a middleweight title shot.

Cormier questioned how Strickland keeps being left out of the discussion over who could fight the winner of Du Plessis vs. Adesanya. Ironically, “DC” initially left Strickland out himself and branded the victor of a potential Chimaev vs. Whittaker fight as next in line.

“Khamzat vs. Robert Whittaker to determine who’s next. You know what, or Sean Strickland,” Cormier said. “I don’t understand how Sean Strickland keeps getting forgotten. He does everything he’s supposed to do. He wins the fights. He was the number one contender. He should not always seem to be put on the backburner.

“He beat Paulo Costa better than Robert Whittaker beat Paulo Costa,” Cormier continued. “Rob goes and has that crazy fight in Saudi Arabia and we immediately start talking about him as the number one contender. What about Sean Strickland? I don’t know why people are so quick to discount this man. We saw it on his rise to the championship, we saw it when he was champion, we saw it when he was coming back. I don’t know why people are so quick to discredit this man.”

Strickland has similarly bemoaned the growing narrative that his status as number one contender isn’t a given, and that he should battle Whittaker in a title eliminator next.

While known for his tendency to say yes to whichever fights the UFC slides across his desk, the former champ has been firm in rejecting a possible clash with “The Reaper,” as well as any other matchup that doesn’t come with the 185-pound belt on the line.

Continue Reading Daniel Cormier Questions Why People ‘Discredit’ Sean Strickland As Number One Contender: ‘He Beat Costa Better Than Whittaker Did!’  at MMA News.

Chris Curtis Insists Fight With Paulo Costa Would Be More Entertaining Than Teammate Sean Strickland’s Was

UFC middleweight Chris Curtis has promised to go strike for strike with Paulo Costa should the Brazilian accept his callout post-Sean Strickland loss. Curtis recently returned to training after recovering from the hamstring tear he sustained last time out, and he’s after a big-name fight this fall. Prior to suffering the severe injury in the […]

Continue Reading Chris Curtis Insists Fight With Paulo Costa Would Be More Entertaining Than Teammate Sean Strickland’s Was at MMA News.

UFC middleweight Chris Curtis has promised to go strike for strike with Paulo Costa should the Brazilian accept his callout post-Sean Strickland loss.

Curtis recently returned to training after recovering from the hamstring tear he sustained last time out, and he’s after a big-name fight this fall.

Prior to suffering the severe injury in the closing moments against Brendan Allen, the pair’s rematch in a UFC Fight Night main event at the Apex this past April was competitive and among the best bouts of the year thus far.

Always looking to put on a show, “The Action Man” is hoping to replicate that barnburner in his next fight, and he has just the opponent in mind…

Curtis Reiterates Costa Callout, Promises Barnburner After Strickland Snoozer

During a recent appearance on MMA Junkie Radio, Curtis reiterated his desire to fight former title challenger Paulo Costa.

“Borrachinha’s” stock took a hit at UFC 302 last month when he fell short in a lackluster five-round affair with Curtis’ teammate, ex-champ Sean Strickland.

Should Costa accept a clash in the cage with Strickland’s fellow Xtreme Couture standout, however, he can seemingly expect a dancing partner ready and willing to throw down in the middle of the Octagon.

“I cornered Sean that fight. When he took that fight…I literally went back, watched all of the Costa fights, and I had like a freakin’ four-page bulletin report on what to do…everything that Costa does, when he does it, why I think he does it,” Curtis said. “I just think it’s a fight that I match up well with.

“Costa’s usually a really fun guy to watch but the Strickland fight was just weird for him because Sean’s a weird guy to fight,” Curtis continued. “I think me and Costa, I think we can just sit there and beat on each other until somebody falls, and I’m okay with that. Sean doesn’t want to fight that way. He’s not trying to get his head bust in. I will gladly stand in front of you and we will just swing at each other.”

Curtis initially shared his interest in keeping Xtreme Couture’s eyes locked on Costa the day after the UFC 302 event in Newark. “The Action Man” respectfully offered to throw down with the Brazilian after sympathizing with his struggles against Strickland.

Continue Reading Chris Curtis Insists Fight With Paulo Costa Would Be More Entertaining Than Teammate Sean Strickland’s Was at MMA News.

Chris Curtis Insists Fight With Paulo Costa Would Be More Entertaining Than Teammate Sean Strickland’s Was

UFC middleweight Chris Curtis has promised to go strike for strike with Paulo Costa should the Brazilian accept his callout post-Sean Strickland loss. Curtis recently returned to training after recovering from the hamstring tear he sustained last time out, and he’s after a big-name fight this fall. Prior to suffering the severe injury in the […]

Continue Reading Chris Curtis Insists Fight With Paulo Costa Would Be More Entertaining Than Teammate Sean Strickland’s Was at MMA News.

UFC middleweight Chris Curtis has promised to go strike for strike with Paulo Costa should the Brazilian accept his callout post-Sean Strickland loss.

Curtis recently returned to training after recovering from the hamstring tear he sustained last time out, and he’s after a big-name fight this fall.

Prior to suffering the severe injury in the closing moments against Brendan Allen, the pair’s rematch in a UFC Fight Night main event at the Apex this past April was competitive and among the best bouts of the year thus far.

Always looking to put on a show, “The Action Man” is hoping to replicate that barnburner in his next fight, and he has just the opponent in mind…

Curtis Reiterates Costa Callout, Promises Barnburner After Strickland Snoozer

During a recent appearance on MMA Junkie Radio, Curtis reiterated his desire to fight former title challenger Paulo Costa.

“Borrachinha’s” stock took a hit at UFC 302 last month when he fell short in a lackluster five-round affair with Curtis’ teammate, ex-champ Sean Strickland.

Should Costa accept a clash in the cage with Strickland’s fellow Xtreme Couture standout, however, he can seemingly expect a dancing partner ready and willing to throw down in the middle of the Octagon.

“I cornered Sean that fight. When he took that fight…I literally went back, watched all of the Costa fights, and I had like a freakin’ four-page bulletin report on what to do…everything that Costa does, when he does it, why I think he does it,” Curtis said. “I just think it’s a fight that I match up well with.

“Costa’s usually a really fun guy to watch but the Strickland fight was just weird for him because Sean’s a weird guy to fight,” Curtis continued. “I think me and Costa, I think we can just sit there and beat on each other until somebody falls, and I’m okay with that. Sean doesn’t want to fight that way. He’s not trying to get his head bust in. I will gladly stand in front of you and we will just swing at each other.”

Curtis initially shared his interest in keeping Xtreme Couture’s eyes locked on Costa the day after the UFC 302 event in Newark. “The Action Man” respectfully offered to throw down with the Brazilian after sympathizing with his struggles against Strickland.

Continue Reading Chris Curtis Insists Fight With Paulo Costa Would Be More Entertaining Than Teammate Sean Strickland’s Was at MMA News.

Sean Strickland claims the UFC may deny him title fight: They don’t want me holding the microphone’

Sean Strickland claims UFC will deny him title fight they don't want me holding the microphoneSean Strickland thinks he may not get the next middleweight title shot. After Strickland beat Paulo Costa at UFC…

Sean Strickland claims UFC will deny him title fight they don't want me holding the microphone

Sean Strickland thinks he may not get the next middleweight title shot.

After Strickland beat Paulo Costa at UFC 302 in June, he said his next fight would be for the middleweight title. The title is up for grabs at UFC 305 in Perth, Australia as Dricus Du Plessis takes on Israel Adesanya. After that, both Strickland and Robert Whittaker have a case for the title shot, but Strickland thinks if he doesn’t get the title shot it is because they don’t want him on the mic as the champion again.

Sean Strickland calls for UFC to become American again we're gonna be watching Dagestanis or Brazilians

“If they give Robert (Whittaker) the title shot, it’s for one reason, it’s for one reason. They don’t want me holding this (microphone) on the main stage,” Sean Strickland said to Shak MMA. “I’m next in line, dude, there’s no argument in it, it is a f****** fact if they give Whittaker the title shot then welcome to f****** Bud Light.”

Both Strickland and Whittaker are former champions and do have a case for a title shot. So, whoever doesn’t get it will feel like they got robbed of the title shot. But, Strickland thinks the only reason why he won’t get it is because of what he says on the mic.

Sean Strickland Explains Why Robert Whittaker Shouldn’t Get The Next Title Shot

With Sean Strickland and Robert Whittaker both having a case for a title shot, the American took to social media to share why he felt like ‘The Reaper’ shouldn’t be in the running for it.

Sean Strickland rips Octagon execs over fighter pay ahead of UFC 302 they don't do the right things

Although Whittaker is on a two-fight winning streak, Strickland says that Whittaker is 0-3 against Adesanya and Du Plessis, so he shouldn’t get the chance to fight whoever wins next.

“The thought that whittaker gets a title shot before me is fucking wild.. Bro you’re 0-3…… With a stoppage lol I beat both those c***s lol….. Do rankings matter?! Do the right thing UFC..,” Strickland wrote in a tweet on July 9.

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Both Strickland and Whittaker are adamant they each deserve a title shot so it will be interesting to see who ends up getting it.